VSO Seeks Help Identifying World War II Veterans

Water Valley lost another World War II veteran last week with the passing of John K. Gurner Sr., one of five local World War II vets who died in 2017. His death sparked curiosity in the community about how many veterans from World War II are left in the county.

Yalobusha County Veteran Service Officer Joe Black is reaching out to the public for help identifying any surviving vets in the county from the great conflict. 

“It would be nice to be able to recognize any surviving veterans from World War II, I have asked around and nobody has been able to come up with any,” Black told the Herald. 

Over 16 million Americans served in the war and the remaining veterans are now in their late 80s and 90s. In 2017 there were just over a half-million remaining, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. 

In addition to Gurner, other local veterans who passed away in 2017  listed in the Herald obituaries include John Herod, Harold Wayne King, Bennie “B.R.” Raymond Heard and Dr. Rayford Norman Edgar.

If you know of a World War II veteran in the county, contact Black at (662) 473-7489.